Sanitation District director Gans leaving for LVCVA

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 10:57 a.m.

After 27 years managing wastewater for Clark County, Jim Gans is leaving the Sanitation District to become vice president of operations for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The Clark County Sanitation District Board appointed Fred Turnier on Tuesday to replace Gans. Turnier, 53, has served as assistant director for the last 15 years and will become director on Sept. 13.

Before joining the county, Turnier had extensive city management experience as well as utility management.

"Fred has provided outstanding service and leadership for many years and will serve the customers and community well," board Chairman Dario Herrera said.

Since 1972 Gans has worked to oversee the treatment of sewage in a growing community. After the county built a $54 million Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in the 1970s, the Las Vegas Valley population continued to boom.

The Sanitation District is in the middle of a $200 million expansion to keep up with growth, Gans said after the announcement.

"It was a really tough decision for me," Gans said of the move to the Convention Authority. LVCVA Director Manny Cortez offered him the new position and he said he accepts it as a challenge.

Gans, 62, started with the Las Vegas Valley Water District as project assistant in May 1973.

Gans has been a Las Vegas resident since 1950.